2019 Polls: Kaduna PDP Condemns Security Agencies’ Partisanship, Governor el-Rufai’s Rigging Plans

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – The Kaduna State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned in strong terms the use of security personnel for partisan political activities and harassment of innocent citizens in the state.

Addressing newsman in Kaduna on Thursday with regards to some political activities in the state, the PDP state chairman, Mr Felix Hassan Hyat noted that the order by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), barring VIPs from using security personnel for partisan political activities and harassment of innocent citizens is grossly being violated.

According to Hyat; “A case in point is that of the wife of the National Security Adviser (NSA), whose brother is contesting election for the House of Representatives in Lere Federal Constituency of Kaduna State under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The wife of the NSA has been using soldiers to harass and intimidate people in favour of her brother. We condemn this in very strong terms and call on the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command to investigate it.”

Hyat also accused Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state currently mobilizing some observer groups to Government House with the view to induce them to dance to his tune.

“His plan is to pressurize them to cook up false reports that would support his rigging plan. We call on the observer groups not to succumb to the Governor’s antics, but continue to remain neutral and unbiased in the discharge of their duties, as Stakeholders in the electoral process. They should not compromise their neutral status.

“We are also aware of the plan of the government to scuttle the forthcoming election in Kaduna State by engaging in actions that could provoke the people to cause crisis, so that a State of Emergency can be declared and for him to call for the cancellation of the elections, he is already sure of loosing.

“Part of the orchestrated plan is to install a new chief in the controversial Adara Chiefdom, despite the litigation in Court.

“This is in addition to using fake results to swear-in the APC Candidate in Jaba Local Government who lost the last Local Government election, despite the case in Court.

“The Governor knows that such actions could lead to resistance by the people that could cause mayhem.”

He called on the people concerned to remain calm and law abiding, no matter the provocation.

Hyat said that intelligence report from PDP field operators indicate that the APC government in Kaduna State has recruited thousands of “Kato da Gora,” a state sponsored security outfit, with the aim of hijacking ballot boxes and papers on transit to Polling Units especially in rural areas.

The Kaduna state PDP therefore called on both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and all observers to take note of the important issue and act accordingly.

Hyat said; “We remain solidly on the side of the people of Kaduna State and strongly plead with them that the patience they have exhibited in the past three years and nine months should not be sacrificed by anger of a few days.

“We urge the people to come out en masse to vote massively and peacefully for the PDP, so that we can bring about a new leadership at the National and State levels that will get Nigeria working again and that which shall rescue, reunite and reconstruct Kaduna State,” he explained.